Blair MacGregor's Blog, page 11
April 7, 2015
Your Call Cannot Be Completed As Dialed…
Every now and then, I find I need to remind the folks I know and love thatthe operative word in the phrase, “working fromhome” just happens to be “working.” And since the majority of folks I know and love have barely the slightest notion what process goes into writing fiction, I sometimes need to remind them that writing is indeed work.
This time, I wanted to take a lighter approach. I offer my wording here in case it might help another writer find a constructive way to keep family and friend...
March 23, 2015
In Which I Expound On Reviews and Awareness
Do reviews matter?
The answer depends on who you ask, how you define “reviews,” and what you mean by “matter.”
Ask a trade-published writer, and you’ll likely learn a review is first and foremost something written by a pro or semi-pro reviewer that will appear in an industry-supported or industry-centric publication. That sort of review is expected to (fingers crossed!) boost enough interest and offer enough praise to filter down to the general readership in time to impact sales in the first...
March 10, 2015
The Military Fantasy Thing
Somewhere along the way, I ended up writing military fantasy.
I didn’t intend to, really. Maybe way back, when I was first putting stories together, I had a notion. But really,I can’t recall ever thinking tocall them “military fantasy.” But once others applied that label, and when I read their reviews and impressions… Let’s just say I’d forgive you for not believing me, because of course it’s military fantasy.
So here’s how the truth tapped me on the shoulder:
When M.C.A. Hogarth asked the quest...
March 8, 2015
The Short Version, Because That’s All It Needs
From The Guardian comes this observant article on the success women are finding in self-publishing.
Reactions can be summed up thusly:
“Let me argue the methodology! Let me discredit a single line in the article!” —Folks who are certain there wouldn’t be any gender disparity if women would just shut up about it already.
“It’s just because of romance!” — Folks who either failed to read the entire article, don’t want the wrong type of folks playing in their sandbox, or both.
“Yeah, but those women...
March 2, 2015
If You’re Ready To Join SFWA…
…the doors are now open to writers whose income comes solely from small press and self-publishing.
Cat Rambo, current VP of SFWA, has posted the basics of how writers can now apply for membership.
ETA: The first 24 hours brought in about 30 applications!
This is a work in progress, That is a good thing. Rather than attempt to carve into stone absolute directives about every single possibility,SFWA is looking to be flexible and open to different avenues of writerly income earning. Some folks will...
February 22, 2015
Cons on the Calendar
I have a convention schedule this year! Sure, it’s short and mostly local, but it exists. It is a thing, and it pleases me today.
4th Street Fantasy, Minneapolis, MN June 26-28
This is a different kind of con—one with a single track of programming and a membership cap of 175 attendees—intending to create a shared con experience and fluid conversation. Folks have been telling me to go for years. Once programming conversations get rolling, I’ll bring up making myself available for self-publishing...
February 7, 2015
Meet the Indie Fantasy StoryBundle Authors
Whether you already own the Indie Fantasy Bundle and are enjoying the eight novels, or are still deciding to choose your own price for the collection, here’s your opportunity to learn more about the writers and their novels! There’s talk about epics and alchemy, windships and wishes, honor and secrets,politics and subversion.
Bradley Beaulieu, The Winds of Khalakovo
Sherwood Smith, Lhind the Thief
C.J. Brightley, The King’s Sword
Judith Tarr, Arrows of the Sun
Francesca Forrest, Pen Pal
February 5, 2015
Deserts, Military Influences, and What I Drink
As the fabulous Indie Fantasy Bundle enters its final week (That’s right–only seven days left!), the very cool author M.C.A. Hogarth asked me some questions about Sand of Bone.
Knowing your background as a martial arts teacher, I wasn’t at all surprised at the authenticity of the fight and training scenes in your novel. What did surprise me was how well you captured the military culture! Do you have any background in that, or is it something you picked up in some other way?
I’ve never served in...
February 4, 2015
SFWA, StoryBundle, and Breath of Stone
Item the First: The membership of SFWA has spoken and, by a vote of 6-to-1 in favor, has changed their governing by-laws to allow writers whose success comes from independent publishing to qualify for membership. Detailed procedural guidelines are being hammered out, and it looks like authors will be able to begin applying by March of this year.
Last summer, I had my own dilemma over whether I should join. And after I joined, I had my own disagreements with some of the organization’s choices,...
February 2, 2015
When Motherhood Matters Far More
Motherhood and writing: a topic buried beneath mounds of advice columns, cries of frustration, and hurtful moral judgments on all sides. Most of what I hear are concerns a child will stall/delay/derail a career, coupled with ways to work around the child.
But this is a different sort of article. This is about the other side of motherhood and writing, the decision that opens the door for all those advice-guides and judgments, and the truth some writers fear to some degree or another.
It’s about...
